University of Colorado’s Dominique Collier takes a shot over a swarm of defenders during an NCAA basketball game against San Francisco on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Coors Event Center in Boulder. (Jeremy Papasso, Daily Camera)

BOULDER — Colorado men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle said the Buffaloes could have used freshman point guard Dominique Collier Wednesday night in the 62-60 loss to visiting Colorado State. Collier sprained “a couple of” ligaments in his wrist while taking a charge during the Sunday loss at Georgia.

Boyle said Collier will not play Saturday in the home game against Northern Colorado, but it is hoped that the former Denver East star will return to the court in time for CU’s trip to Hawaii for the Dec. 22-25 Diamond Head Classic.

Colorado coach Tad Boyle argues a call with officials during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA on Friday, Jan 2, 2015, in Boulder. (Jeremy Papasso, Daily Camera)

Following the 64-57 loss Sunday at Georgia, Colorado men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle has preached to his team about concentration, concentration, concentration.

“We’ve yet to put a 40-minute game together,” Boyle said in advance of Wednesday’s 7 p.m. home game against Colorado State (8-0). “That’s a challenge for this group. (Maintaining) concentration is hard to do.”

Colorado (5-2) tied the game in Athens, Ga., at 22-22 on a 3-point shot by junior forward Xavier Johnson. But Georgia closed out the first half with a 12-0 run. The Bulldogs began the second half by scoring the first two baskets. That lengthened CU’s scoring drought to about 7 minutes.

Colorado defensive line coach Jim Jeffcoat demonstrates a technique during a practice and scrimmage in the practice bubble on the University of Colorado Boulder campus on April 4, 2014. (Daily Camera file)

When Colorado football coach Mike MacIntyre was asked this week during his final weekly news conference about CU’s defense, the glass-half-full optimist came up with a positive take:

“One of the things that will help us (in the future) on defense is we played a lot of guys,” MacIntyre said. “We have a lot of players coming back with more experience.”

But there was a lot more about Colorado’s defense in 2014 that deserves harsh criticism and, likely, some offseason adjustments.

Utah and Colorado face off at Folsom Field on Nov. 29, 2014. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)

Here is the final installment of the season for my weekly “Five things to watch” — this time for Saturday’s 11 a.m. (Pac-12 Network) conference matchup between Utah and Colorado in Boulder.

1. Can Colorado’s defense keep Utah junior Devontae Booker from running wild? Booker has netted 1,255 yards through 11 games and trails UCLA’s Paul Perkins by only 10 yards in the race for the Pac-12 rushing title. Utah isn’t pass-happy like most Pac-12 teams. So if the Buffs can keep Booker somewhat under control, it would improve the odds greatly for Colorado.

2. Will CU junior receiver Nelson Spruce finish the season with a flurry? In recent weeks, opposing defenses have been determined to not let Spruce beat them. And they’ve done a good job of that. Spruce has averaged 7.5 catches for the past six games after averaging 11.2 receptions for the first five games. Spruce has been kept out of the end zone for the past four games. If he doesn’t score a TD against Utah, that may not bode well for the Buffs.

CU head coach Mike MacIntyre watches his players during the morning practice on March 14, 2014. (Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera)

It sounds strange, perhaps, but Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre said he told the team’s fifth-year seniors that he gives thanks for having played or redshirted under three different head coaches as they did.

Ready to play their final game as a Buff, Colorado’s fifth-year seniors include offensive lineman Kaiwi Crabb, tailback Tony Jones, offensive guard Daniel Munyer, tight end Kyle Slavin and safety Terrel Smith.

Another fifth-year senior, safety Jered Bell, intends to petition to the NCAA for a rare sixth season of eligibility, having lost two seasons to knee injuries that involved ACL tears.

The fifth-year players will be joined by 15 other seniors who will trot onto Folsom Field for a final time Saturday in the 11 a.m. game against Utah.

MacIntyre said he has a soft spot in his heart for all the seniors. But he had a special message to the fifth-year players who were recruited by Dan Hawkins and either redshirted or played under Hawkins in 2010 before playing for Jon Embree (2011-12) and then MacIntyre.

MacIntyre told the six that he also played or redshirted under three coaches. A defensive back, MacIntyre began at Vanderbilt (1985-85) under his father, George MacIntyre. When George MacIntyre was fired, Mike transferred to Georgia Tech, where he sat out the transfer year (1986) under Bill Curry and played for Bobby Ross (1987-88).

“I can honestly tell them that I went through the same exact thing,” MacIntyre said. “I told them that from the first day I walked in here. I had four different position coaches.

“I know exactly how they feel. We didn’t win one ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) game my last year. But coach Ross kept telling us how we set (a foundation), how we kept working at it and kept pushing. Two years later, Georgia Tech won (a share of) the national championship (with Colorado).

“So I’ve been through it, and have seen it. I see us building and doing that. These young men truly leave a foundation,” MacIntyre added. “When I look back, of course I would have loved to have won more games. But when I got into coaching, (learning under three head coaches) truly helped me.”

Colorado cross country coach Mark Wetmore congratulates his team after they won the national title during the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014. (James Brosher, Special to the Denver Post)

The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named Wetmore the Bill Dellinger coach of the year, his third overall. He won also in 2006 and 2013, when Colorado won national titles but were not favored coming into the race. Colorado became the first team in 18 years of USTFCCCA polling to be the unanimous No. 1 rank and go on to win the championship.

“This is probably our best team ever,” Wetmore told The Post’s John Meyer after the race. “This is certainly the best third, fourth and fifth (runners) we’ve ever had. They’re real good and they belong in the pantheon.”

Here is my weekly installment of Five Things to Watch — this time for Saturday afternoon’s (2:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network) Colorado at No. 3 Oregon matchup:

1. Can Colorado’s defense contain Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota enough to keep the likely Heisman Trophy winner from running wild? As CU defensive coordinator Kent Baer said this week, there’s often nobody on the field fast enough to catch the 6-foot-5, 219-pound Hawaiian. “He’s the best I’ve seen,” Baer added.

2. Will CU redshirt freshman running back Phillip Lindsay follow up his 114 yards against Arizona with a productive effort against Oregon?

3. Can Buffs sophomore quarterback Sefo Liufau avoid the turnover bug? Liufau has been responsible for six giveaways in the past two games, with a combined three interceptions and three lost fumbles against Washington and Arizona.

4. How will Colorado’s safeties hold up against perhaps the nation’s most explosive offense? With five Buffs safeties down because of injuries, one former scout team member, ex-walk-on Richard Yates II, is expected to be a starter, and another, redshirt freshman walk-on Ryan Moeller, could be a top reserve.

5. And the obvious — How many snaps, if any, will CU backup quarterback Jordan Gehrke get?

University of Colorado’s Jered Bell runs back an interception for a touchdown during a game against Central Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at Folsom Field in Boulder. (Daily Camera file)

Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre said he has “never seen anything like it” when speaking about the Buffs’ safety spots.

Since the beginning of August camp, five CU safeties have been injured.

Here’s the list:

* Jered Bell — Senior lost for season with torn ACL on Aug. 15.
* Marques Mosley — Junior lost for season with ACL, MCL tears Oct. 25 vs. UCLA.
* Chidobe Awuzie — Sophomore likely done for season after lacerating a kidney during practice Nov. 4.
* Tedric Thompson — Sophomore has missed two games after suffering a concussion Oct. 25 against UCLA and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game at Oregon.
* Evan White — True freshman suffered a concussion Nov. 8 at Arizona and is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game at Oregon.

Colorado’s starters at safety against the third-ranked Ducks are expected to be senior Terrel Smith and senior Richard Yates II, a former walk-on.

Walk-on Ryan Moeller, a freshman from Rifle, could be the top reserve.

“Guys that two weeks ago were on the scout team are now going to play,” MacIntyre said. “The good thing is that with the open date, the new guys got more time to prepare.”

Defensive coordinator Kent Baer shook his head when asked about the situation at safety.

BOULDER — After experiencing two winters and springs in the state of Colorado, CU football coach Mike MacIntyre has decided it’s OK to move up 2015 spring practice almost a month.

The first spring practice for 2015 will be on Friday, Feb. 13.

“I noticed it snows here just as much in March,” MacIntyre said. “Last year, really, it was nicer in February than it was in March. So it doesn’t really make any difference. We’ll practice outside some days and inside some days. This will allow us to get rolling earlier.”

The 2015 spring game will be held on the same day as the NCAA Basketball Committee reveals the NCAA Tournament bracket — Selection Sunday, March 15.

The 2014 CU spring game was held on April 12. In 2013, the first under MacIntyre, it was on April 13. Practices last spring began on March 7.

The early dates would allow more time for injured players to recover prior to August camp, MacIntyre said.

“I felt it was important to have the best team we can have when August hits,” MacIntyre said. “I feel good about that. And now we won’t have as much to install (although) we have a lot to improve.

“We’re going to lift all through spring too. You get 20 hours a week, and we’re going to lift more than we did last year. Our guys are in great condition, better than we’ve ever been. Now, we have to get bigger and stronger across the board with all our team.”

Tad Boyle, coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, reacts in the first half while taking on the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 20, 2014 in Orlando, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)

Colorado coach Tad Boyle made a plea to fans that, understandably, may think 11 p.m. is more than a tad late for a college basketball game, especially on Monday, a weekday.

Boyle said Colorado (1-0) needs a big, late-night crowd Monday at the Coors Events Center to make it difficult on Auburn (1-0).

The unusual starting time is to accommodate ESPN Network’s “Tip-Off Marathon” that spans 24 hours. Colorado vs. Auburn will be shown on ESPN2.

“I hope, my goal, is that every season ticket holder that is not coming to the game gets their tickets in the hands of somebody who will,” Boyle said.

“I’d like for those to be as many students as possible. If we can get 5,000-7,000 students in this building at 11 o’clock at night on a Monday and show the national TV audience what Colorado basketball is all about and the passion and energy that this building has, it’s a great opportunity for fans that show up.

“And if they’re not going to show up, please, please get those tickets in the hands to somebody who will.”

Colorado junior forward-center Josh Scott has been named to the Wooden Award’s “Preseason Top 50″ list.

Scott, 6-foot-10 and 245 pounds, averaged 14.1 points and 8.4 rebounds in 2013-14 and got off to an excellent start for this season with a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds Friday night in the 65-48 victory over Drexel.

Here’s a cut-and-past copy of the news release from the Los Angeles Athletic Club:

Los Angeles (November 17, 2014)— The Los Angeles Athletic Club has announced its Preseason Top 50 today on ESPN’s SportsCenter and on ESPN.com. Chosen by a preseason poll of national college basketball experts, the list is comprised of 50 student-athletes who are the early front-runners for the sport’s most prestigious honor.

Many 2014 NCAA Tournament stars were chosen to the Wooden Award Presented by Wendy’s Preseason Top 50, including Ryan Boatright of Connecticut, an All-Final Four team selection in 2014 when he helped lead his team to the NCAA title; three players from a Kentucky squad that fell to the Huskies in the title game, Willie Cauley-Stein, Aaron Harrison, and Andrew Harrison; Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker and Frank Kaminsky, the MVP of the 2014 West Regional; and Florida’s Michael Frazier II. Other returners of note include Tyler Haws of BYU, the nation’s No. 2 returning scorer (23.2 ppg), and Wichita State point guard Fred VanVleet, the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year.

Colorado’s Nelson Spruce makes a catch and outruns Hawai’i’s Dee Maggitt (23) in for a touchdown during a game against Hawai’i at Folsom Field in Boulder on Sept. 20, 2014. (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post)

Colorado junior receiver Nelson Spruce was named Monday as one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award which is bestowed to the nation’s most outstanding receiver.

FORT COLLINS — Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins, Colorado State’s standout sophomore wide receiver, Monday was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, bestowed upon the top receiver in the country by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation.

The award is named after former Florida State and Raiders receiver Fred Biletnikoff.

CSU issued the news shortly before Jim McElwain’s Monday noon news conference, but it quoted him in the release.

“This is a great honor for Rashard Higgins and for our entire program,” McElwain said. “Rashard would be the first to tell you that it’s not about him, but about the team. We still have a lot of work to do, and not only Rashard but the entire team knows what kind of effort and attention to detail it has taken to get to this stage. We’ll get back to work today with a great day of preparation for Senior Day on Saturday.”

Higgins also was quoted in the release.

“It was very exciting to hear this news this morning,” said Higgins. “It shows how much hard work really does pay off, and makes me think how blessed I am to have great teammates and coaches. I set high goals for myself and our team, and those goals can only be achieved with everyone doing their part. To be in this position is a dream come true.”

McElwain and Biletnikoff both were on the Raiders’ staff in 2006. CSU receivers coach Alvis Whitted was a Raiders receiver from 2002-06.

“Alvis Whitted played for Freddie,” McElwain said. “You talk about a great guy, now. (There are) some great stories there … He’s one of the great all-time classics, a guy deserving of having an award named after him.”

Biletnikoff Award founder Walter Manley II notes that there are 265 voters — including college football journalists, commentators, and former receivers — who determine the winner, with the FanVote on the award’s web site coming into play essentially as an additional vote in the voting for 10 semifinalists in the first round, three finalists in the second round; and one winner in the final round.

The three finalists for the award will be announced on Monday, Nov. 24.

Announcement of the winner will be part of ESPN’s The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 11.

BOULDER — Some observations from Colorado’s 65-48 victory Friday night over Drexel in the CU men’s opener at the Coors Events Center:

* As CU coach Tad Boyle said afterward, “the formula worked.” The new up-tempo, spread-them-out offense wore down Drexel in the second half. The Dragons, who play in the competitive Colonial Athletic Association and had a solid 120 RPI last year, managed just 19 points in the second half.

* The new CU offense requires that everybody look to pass, or get a pass. Sophomore forward Dustin Thomas led the team with four assists. He handed out just 16 assists for all of last season.

* Colorado opened with a strange lineup (only regulars were center Josh Scott and guard Xavier Talton) because of disciplinary, internal issues “that we’re cleaning up,” Boyle said. But I get the feeling Boyle enjoys playing a lot of players and using a longer bench. That depth, along with the faster pace, plays into CU strategy of wearing down opponents, especially in games played in Boulder.

* Booker was not involved in the internal problems, Boyle said, and the team’s only scholarship senior did not start because he is getting over a stomach virus. Booker may still be feeling a bit weak, and it could have been a big factor in his 2-for-14 shooting. But for CU to reach its potential, the Buffs need more consistent offense from the team leader.

* Josh Scott (21 points, 11 rebounds) is a horse. From the opening tip, the 6-10 junior center played with the mindset that he was going to dominate the game. I’m guessing he is playing with a bit of a chip on his shoulder this season after getting pushed around by Pittsburgh in the NCAA Tournament last spring.

* The Buffs seem to have the right attitude about playing the 11 p.m. game Monday night against visiting Auburn. CU agreed to that late-night tip to be part of ESPN’s college basketball “Tipoff Marathon.” That could have the feel of a side show, but CU players know that there only so many games, especially marquee nonconference games, and ultimately they all will be reviewed by the NCAA Tournament selection committee. “You can’t let an opportunity get away. … You don’t know what will happen during the season,” Scott said.

CU head coach Mike MacIntyre watches his players during the morning practice on March 14, 2014. (Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera)

College football coaches have told me for years — OK, decades — that a team can never have enough defensive linemen.

So it should come as no surprise that Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre and his staff have received an oral commitment from another one: Jordan Carrell from American River (Junior) College in Sacramento, Calif.

Carrell is listed at 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds with room to fill out. According to BuffStampede.com, an affiliate of Rivals.com, Carrell said CU liked his quickness and especially his explosiveness off the snap.

As released by the school, the probable starters for Colorado Friday night in the season opener against Drexel is the same Buffs lineup that finished the 2013-14 season after Spencer Dinwiddie went down with a knee injury in January.

Collier has missed substantial practice time with an ankle issue and his contribution may be delayed.

For those who haven’t heard, 6-6 sophomore guard George King is redshirting.

Colorado, 23-12 last season, showed up in some preseason top-25 lists in magazines or on websites, but the Buffs are generally projected to fall just outside the top 25. In the Pac-12 preseason media poll, CU was voted to finish third, behind Arizona and No. 2 Utah.

Few things I’ll be looking for tonight from CU:

* The new offense. It’s supposed to be a faster tempo and will spread out the court. Coach Tad Boyle describes it as “less predictable” than the style the Buffs have played.

* Outside shooting. Everybody expects it to be improved. It had better be. Colorado hit 31.8 percent from 3-point range last season while Buffs opponents connected on 35.6 percent from beyond the arc. That’s a significant number of points the Buffs had to make up during a game.

* Miller. He adds a big body to CU’s front line which will especially help in certain matchups against burly teams. Remember the blowout loss to Pittsburgh in the NCAA Tournament last spring? I want to see if Miller is more than a banger and can also be a threat offensively.

Tipoff at the Coors Events Center is at 6 p.m. The Pac-12 Network will have the telecast.

Kensler joined The Denver Post in 1989 and has covered a variety of beats, including Colorado, Colorado State, golf, Olympics and the Denver Broncos. His brush with greatness: losing in a two-on-two pickup basketball game at Ohio State against two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.